Under årets Oscar-uddeling valgte Will Smith at rejse sig, efter vært Chris Rock lavede en joke om hans kones pletvise skallethed, og slå ham i hovedet. Siden da har der både været uenighed om hvorvidt Smith blev bedt om at forlade salen eller ej, og også hvilke konsekvenser dette vil have.
Men før selve akademiet har haft muligheden for at træffe en beslutning, så har Smith selv trukket sig. I en meddelelse til Variety har Smith officielt afsløret, at han trækker sig helt fra Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
"The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home," Smith said in the statement. "I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.
"I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film."
Alt tyder på at dette sker for at komme akademiet i forkøbet, der angiveligt også overvejede en reel udsmidning. Akademiet vil stadig foretage "disciplinary action" imod skuespilleren.